Light generating device, backlight assembly having the same, and display apparatus having the backlight assembly

ABSTRACT

A light-generating device includes a driving substrate and a plurality of light source arrays. The driving substrate has a rectangular planar shape. The plurality of light source arrays is formed on the driving substrate. The light source arrays include at least one light emitting diode to generate light in response to power being applied through the substrate, and the light source arrays are spaced apart from each other. Thus, heat generated from the light-generating device is rapidly dissipated from the light-generating device, improving brightness of the light, brightness uniformity of the light and color reproducibility of the light.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/228,786, filed on Sep. 16, 2005, which claims priority under 35 USC§119 to Korean Patent Application No. 2004-76682 filed on Sep. 23, 2004,the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a light-generating device, a backlightassembly having the light generating device, and a display apparatushaving the backlight assembly. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a light generating device capable of enhancing brightness,brightness uniformity and color reproducibility, a backlight assemblyhaving the light generating device, and a display apparatus having thebacklight assembly.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, an information processing apparatus processes data in theform of electrical signals. A display apparatus converts the data thatis processed by the information processing apparatus into an image. Thedisplay apparatus may be a cathode ray tube (CRT) display apparatus, aliquid crystal display (LCD) apparatus, a plasma display panel (PDP)apparatus, an organic light emitting display (OLED) apparatus, etc.

Of the different types of display apparatuses, the LCD apparatusdisplays images by using electrical and optical characteristics ofliquid crystal molecules.

The LCD apparatus often requires a light source in order to display theimage. The light source may be a light emitting diode (LED), a coldcathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), a flat fluorescent lamp (FFL), etc.

Most of the conventional LCD apparatuses typically include the CCFL.However, recently, LED and FFL are coming to be widely used as the lightsource for LCD apparatuses. Although LED has its advantages over theconventional CCFL light source, it also has disadvantages in that adisplay apparatus employing an LED light source typically has a lightwith low brightness uniformity, low brightness, and low colorreproducibility compared to a display apparatus employing the CCFL.

A method is desired for enhancing the brightness uniformity, brightness,and color reproducibility of display apparatuses employing LED as lightsources.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one feature of the present invention to provide a light-generatingdevice capable of improving brightness, brightness uniformity, and colorreproducibility of a display apparatus.

It is another feature of the present invention to provide a backlightassembly including the above-mentioned light-generating device.

It is still another feature of the present invention to provide adisplay apparatus including the above-mentioned backlight assembly.

The light-generating device in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention includes a driving substrate and a plurality oflight source arrays. The light source arrays are formed on the drivingsubstrate. Each of the light source arrays includes a plurality of lightemitting diodes that generate light when electric power is appliedthereto through the driving substrate. The light source arrays arespaced apart from each other.

The backlight assembly in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention includes a light generating device and a receivingcontainer. The light generating device includes a driving substrate anda plurality of light source arrays formed on the driving substrate. Eachof the light source arrays includes a plurality of light emitting diodesthat generate light when electric power is applied thereto through thesubstrate. The light source arrays are spaced apart from each other. Thereceiving container has a bottom plate and sidewalls that are formed atedge portions of the bottom plate. The driving substrate is disposed onthe bottom plate.

The display apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention includes a backlight assembly and a display panel. Thelight generating device generates light. The light generating deviceincludes a plurality of driving substrate. Each of the drivingsubstrates includes a plurality of light source arrays formed thereon.Each of the light source arrays includes a plurality of light emittingdiodes that generate light when electric power is applied theretothrough the substrate. The light source arrays are spaced apart fromeach other. The receiving container has a bottom plate, and sidewallsare formed at edge portions of the bottom plate. The driving substrateis disposed on the bottom plate. The display panel displays an image byusing the light generated by the light generating device.

Since the light source arrays are arranged in a staggered configurationon the bottom plate of the receiving container, the heat generated fromthe light emitting diodes is rapidly dissipated from the lightgenerating device. Thus, the brightness and color reproducibility of thelight that is generated from each of the light emitting diodes areimproved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill become readily apparent by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light-generating devicein accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I′ in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light-generating devicein accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a light-generating device inaccordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a backlight assembly in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a backlight assembly in accordancewith another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a backlight assembly in accordancewith still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating a backlight assembly inaccordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display apparatus inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of theinvention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated forclarity. Like reference numerals refer to similar or identical elementsthroughout. It will be understood that when an element such as a layer,region or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it canbe directly on the other element or intervening elements may also bepresent.

Light Generating Device

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light-generating devicein accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line I-I′ in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a light-generating device 100 includes adriving substrate 110 and a light source array 120. The drivingsubstrate provides power to the light source array. A “light sourcearray,” as used herein, includes one or more light emitting diodes.

The driving substrate 110 has a rectangular shape having two long sidesand two short sides. A printed circuit board (PCB) or a metal-coatedprinted circuit board (MC-PCB) having a relatively high heat conductivematerial coated thereon may be employed as the driving substrate 110,among other possibilities. In some embodiments, the driving substrate110 includes a power-supply line (not shown) for transferring the powerprovided from an external power-supplying unit to the driving substrate110.

At least one light source array 120 is disposed on the driving substrate110. In some embodiments, a plurality of the light source arrays 120 arearranged parallel to the long side of the driving substrate 110. Forexample, the light source arrays 120 are disposed on the drivingsubstrate 110 in a straight line. Each of the light source arrays 120has a length L on the driving substrate 110, and the neighboring lightsource arrays 120 are spaced apart by an interval D. The interval Dbetween the light source arrays 120 that neighbor each other along thelong side of the driving substrate 110 may be substantially the same asthe length L, although this is not a limitation of the invention.

Each of the light source arrays 120 includes at least one light emittingdiode 125. Two light emitting diodes 125 that are positioned next to oneanother are spaced apart by an interval D₁ that is shorter than theinterval D between the light source arrays 120. The light emittingdiodes 125 in the light source arrays 120 are arranged in a line thatextends along a direction parallel to the long side of the drivingsubstrate 110. The number of the light emitting diodes 125 may be about2 to about 4. Each of the light emitting diodes 125 emits light whenelectric power is applied to the light emitting diodes 125 through thepower-supply line.

Each of the light emitting diodes 125 in the light source arrays 120 hasa light emitting diode (LED) 123 and a micro-lens 124.

The LED 123 emits light in a predetermined wavelength range. Morespecifically, each LED 123 is a red LED for generating red light, agreen LED for generating green light, or a blue LED for generating bluelight. Light emitting diodes 125 emitting red, green, and blue light aredisposed on the driving substrate 110 in an alternating manner such thatthe red, green and blue lights generated by the light emitting diodes123 are mixed to generate white light. Thus, the driving substrate 110supplies power for generating white light.

The micro-lens 124 of the light emitting diode 125, which may have adome shape, adjusts the direction of the light that is generated fromthe LED 123.

As described above, the light source arrays 120 having the lightemitting diodes 125 are spaced apart from each other by the interval Don the driving substrate 110. This way, the heat generated from thelight generating device 100 is rapidly dissipated from the lightgenerating device 100. By preventing the light generating device 100from heating up, the light source arrays of the above configurationimprove the brightness, brightness uniformity, and color reproducibilityof the light.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view illustrating a light-generating devicein accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a light-generating device 100 includes a drivingsubstrate 130 and a plurality of light source arrays 140.

The driving substrate 130 has a rectangular planar shape with two firstsides and two second sides. The first sides have a first length, and thesecond sides have a second length that is shorter than the first lengthof the first sides.

A printed circuit board (PCB) or a metal-coated printed circuit board(MC-PCB) having a relatively high heat conductive material on the PCBmay be employed as the driving substrate 130. In some embodiments, thedriving substrate 130 includes a power-supply line (not shown) fortransferring electric power provided from an external power-supplyingunit to the driving substrate 130.

The light source arrays 140 are disposed on the driving substrate 130.For example, the light source arrays 140 are arranged along a directionparallel to the first side of the driving substrate 130.

Each of the light source arrays 140 has a length L on the drivingsubstrate 110, and the neighboring light source arrays 140 are spacedapart by an interval D in the direction parallel to the first side. Theinterval D between the light source arrays 120 is substantially the sameas the length L.

In this embodiment, the light source arrays 140 are arranged along afirst line and a second line that are substantially parallel to eachother. Each of the light source arrays 140 arranged along the first lineis aligned with the interval D between the light source arrays 140arranged along a second line. Thus, the light source arrays 140 disposedalong the two lines on the driving substrate 130 are arranged in astaggered configuration in plan view.

Each of the light source arrays 140 arranged in the staggeredconfiguration includes at least one light emitting diode 145. The twoneighboring light emitting diodes 145 are separated by an interval D₁that is shorter than the interval D between the light source arrays 140.

The light emitting diodes 145 in the light source arrays 140 arearranged along a direction parallel to the first side of the drivingsubstrate 130 in a line. The number of the light emitting diodes 145 ineach of the light source arrays 140 is about 2 to about 4.

Each of the light emitting diodes 145 emits light when electric power issupplied to the light emitting diodes 145 through the power-supply line.

Each of the light emitting diodes 145 in the light source arrays 140 hasa light emitting diode (LED) 143 and a micro-lens 144.

The LED 143 emits light in a predetermined wavelength range. Morespecifically, each LED 143 is a red LED for generating red light, agreen LED for generating green light, or a blue LED for generating bluelight. The light emitting diodes 145 emitting red, green, and blue lightare disposed on the driving substrate 130 in an alternating manner suchthat the red, green, and blue lights generated by each of the lightemitting diodes 145 are mixed to generate white light. Thedifferent-colored lights mix above the driving substrate 130.

The micro-lens 144 of the light emitting diode 145, which may have adome shape, adjusts the direction of the light that is generated fromthe LED 143.

As described above, the light source arrays 140 having the lightemitting diodes 145 are spaced apart from each other at the interval Don the driving substrate 130. This way, the heat generated from thelight generating device 100 is rapidly dissipated from the lightgenerating device 100. By preventing the light generating device 100from heating up, the light source arrays of the above configurationimprove the brightness, brightness uniformity, and color reproducibilityof the light.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a light-generating device inaccordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a light-generating device includes a drivingsubstrate 150 and a light source array 160.

The driving substrate 150 has a rectangular planar shape and the drivingsubstrate 150 has two first sides and two second sides. A printedcircuit board (PCB) or a metal-coated printed circuit board (MC-PCB)having a relatively high heat conductive material coated thereon may beemployed as the driving substrate 150, among other possibilities. Thedriving substrate 150 includes a power-supply line for transferring apower from an external power-supplying unit to the driving substrate150.

The light source arrays 160 are disposed on the driving substrate 150.The light source arrays 160 are serially disposed along a directionparallel to the first side of the driving substrate in a line. In thisembodiment, for example, about five light source arrays 160 are formedon the driving substrate 150. Each of the light source arrays 160 has alength L₁, and two neighboring light source arrays 160 are spaced apartfrom each other by an interval D₂. In some embodiments, the interval D₂is substantially the same as the length L₁.

Each of the light source arrays 160 includes at least one light emittingdiode 165. the two neighboring light emitting diodes 165 are spacedapart from each other by an interval D₃, and the interval D₃ issubstantially smaller than that of the interval D₂.

The light emitting diodes 165 in the light source arrays 160 arearranged in a matrix. For example, the light emitting diodes 165 may bearranged in a square matrix such as a 2×2 matrix or a 3×3 matrix. Thelight emitting diodes 165 generate light by the power provided from thedriving substrate 150.

Each of the light emitting diodes 165 in the light source arrays 160 hasa light emitting diode (LED) 163 and a micro-lens 164.

The LED 163 emits light in a predetermined wavelength range. Morespecifically, each LED 163 is a red LED for generating red light, agreen LED for generating green light, or a blue LED for generating bluelight. The light emitting diodes 165 emitting red, green, and blue lightare disposed on the driving substrate 150, so as to generate red light,green light, and blue light. The red light, the green light in analternating manner such that the different-colored lights are mixed togenerate white light. The different-colored lights are mixed over thedriving substrate 150 of the light generating device 100.

The micro-lens 164 of the light emitting diode 165, which may have adome shape, adjusts the direction of the light that is generated fromthe LED 163.

As described above, the light source arrays 160 having the lightemitting diode 165 are spaced apart from each other at the interval D₂on the driving substrate 150. This way, the heat generated from thelight generating device 100 is rapidly dissipated from the lightgenerating device 100, thereby improving the brightness, brightnessuniformity, and color reproducibility of the light.

Backlight Assembly

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a backlight assembly in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a backlight assembly 300 includes a lightgenerating device 100 and a receiving container 200.

The light-generating device 100 includes a driving substrate 110 and aplurality of light source arrays 120, as described above in reference toFIG. 1.

The driving substrate 110 has a rectangular planar shape with two firstsides and two second sides. The driving substrate 110, for example, mayinclude a printed circuit board (PCB) or metal-coated printed circuitboard (MC-PCB) having a relatively high heat conductive material on thePCB. In some embodiments, the driving substrate 110 includes apower-supply line (not shown) for transferring the power provided froman external power-supplying unit to the driving substrate 110.

The light source array 120 is disposed on the driving substrate 110. Thelight source arrays 120 are arranged along a direction parallel to thefirst side of the driving substrate 110. In this embodiment, the lightsource arrays 120 are disposed in a line on the driving substrate 110.Each of the light source arrays 120 are formed on the driving substrate110, and the light source arrays 120 are spaced apart from each other byan interval D in the direction in which the first side extends. Theinterval D between the light source arrays 120 is substantially the sameas the length L.

Each of the light source arrays 120 includes a plurality of lightemitting diodes 125. The light emitting diodes 125 of the light sourcearrays 120 are spaced apart by an interval D₁ that is shorter than theinterval D of the light source arrays 120. The light source arrays 120including light emitting diodes 125 are arranged in a line along adirection parallel to the first side of the driving substrate 110.

The number of the light emitting diodes 125 of the light source arrays120 is about 2 to about 4. The light emitting diode 125 emits light whenelectrical power is supplied to the light emitting diodes 125 throughthe driving substrate 110.

Each of the light emitting diodes 125 emits red light, green light orblue light and the different-colored light emitting diodes 125 arearranged in an alternating manner to form the light source array 120.The red, green and blue lights generated by the light emitting diodes125 are mixed over the driving substrate 110 of the light generatingdevice 100, thereby generating white light.

The light source arrays 120 are spaced apart from each other by aregular interval D on the driving substrate 110, so that the heatgenerated from the light generating device 100 is rapidly dissipatedfrom the light generating device 100. By preventing the light generatingdevice 100 from heating up, the backlight assembly 300 improves thebrightness and color reproducibility of the light generated from thelight emitting diode 125.

The light source arrays are disposed in a line on the driving substrate,and the driving substrates are arranged such that and each of the lightsource arrays formed on a first driving substrate is disposed betweenthe light source arrays disposed on a second driving substrate, whereinthe second driving substrate neighbors the first driving substrate.Thus, the light source arrays formed at the first and second drivingsubstrates are arranged in a staggered configuration.

A receiving container 200 includes a bottom plate 210, and thelight-generating device 100 is disposed on the bottom plate 210. In theembodiment shown, the light generating devices 100 are alignedsubstantially parallel to each other on the bottom plate 210. Each ofthe light source arrays 120 of the light-generating device 100 isalternately disposed on the bottom plate 210 such that light sourcearrays 120 in every other light generating device 100 are aligned withone another.

Since the light source arrays 120 are disposed on the bottom plate 210in a staggered configuration, there are sufficient spaces between heatsources. Thus, the heat generated from the light emitting diode 120 israpidly dissipated to prevent the light-generating device 100 fromheating up.

As described above, the light generating device 100 disposed on thebottom plate 210 of the receiving container 200 and the light sourcearrays 120 are aligned substantially parallel to each other on thebottom plate 210, and the light source arrays 120 are disposed on thebottom plate 210 in a staggered configuration.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a backlight assembly in accordancewith another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a backlight assembly 300 includes a lightgenerating device 100 and a receiving container 200.

The light-generating device 100 includes a driving substrate 130 and alight source array 140.

The driving substrate 130 has a rectangular planar shape having twofirst sides and two second sides. The first sides have a first length,and the second sides have a second length that is shorter than the firstlength of the first sides.

The driving substrate 130, for example, may include a printed circuitboard (PCB) or metal-coated printed circuit board (MC-PCB) having arelatively high heat conductive material on the PCB. In someembodiments, the driving substrate 130 includes a power-supply line (notshown) for transferring the power provided from an externalpower-supplying unit to the driving substrate 130.

The light source array 140 is disposed on the driving substrate 130. Thelight source arrays 140 are arranged along a direction parallel to thefirst side of the driving substrate 130.

Each of the light source arrays 140 has a length L on the drivingsubstrate 130, and the light source arrays 140 have an interval Dcorresponding to the length L. The interval D between the light sourcearrays 120 is substantially identical to the length L.

In this embodiment, the light source arrays 140 on each drivingsubstrate 130 are arranged along a first line and a second line. Each ofthe light source arrays 140 arranged along the first line is disposedbetween the light source arrays 140 arranged along the second line.Thus, the light source arrays 140 disposed on the driving substrate 130are arranged in a staggered configuration.

Each of the light source arrays 140 arranged in the staggeredconfiguration includes at least one light emitting diode 145.

A pair of the light emitting diodes 145 adjacent to one another has aninterval D₁ that is narrower than the interval D of the light sourcearrays 140.

The light source arrays 140 including light emitting diodes 145 arearranged along a direction parallel to the first side of the drivingsubstrate 130 in a line. The number of the light emitting diodes 145 ineach of the light source arrays 140 is about 2 to about 4. The lightemitting diodes 145 emit light when electrical power is supplied to thelight emitting diodes 145 through the driving substrate 130.

The light emitting diode 145 is a red LED for generating red light, agreen LED for generating green light, or a blue LED for generating bluelight. Light emitting diodes 145 emitting red, green, and blue lightsare alternately disposed on the driving substrate 130, so that thedifferent-colored lights are mixed over the driving substrate 130 togenerate white light. The different-colored lights are mixed above thedriving substrate 130.

As described above, when the light source arrays 140 having the lightemitting diodes 145 are spaced apart from each other by the interval Don the driving substrate 130, the brightness, brightness uniformity, andcolor reproducibility of the light are greatly improved.

A receiving container 200 may include a bottom plate 210, and thelight-generating device 100 is disposed on the bottom plate 210. In thisembodiment, the light generating devices 100 are aligned substantiallyparallel to each other on the bottom plate 210. The light source arrays140 of the light-generating device 100 are disposed on the bottom plate210 in a staggered configuration.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a backlight assembly in accordancewith still another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a backlight assembly 300 includes a lightgenerating device 100 and a receiving container 200.

The light-generating device 100 has a driving substrate 150 and a lightsource array 160.

The driving substrate 150 has a rectangular plate shape having a firstside and a second side. The driving substrate 150, for example, mayinclude a printed circuit board (PCB) or metal-coated printed circuitboard (MC-PCB) having a high heat conductive material on the PCB. Insome other embodiments, the driving substrate 150 includes apower-supply line (not shown) for transferring the power provided froman external power-supplying unit to the driving substrate 150.

The light source array 160 is disposed on the driving substrate 150. Thelight source arrays 160 are arranged along a direction parallel to thefirst side of the driving substrate 150. In this embodiment, the lightsource arrays 160 are disposed on the driving substrate 150 along aline. Each of the light source arrays 160 has a length L₁ on the drivingsubstrate 150, and the light source arrays 160 are spaced apart by aninterval D₂. The interval D₂ between the light source arrays 160 issubstantially the same as the length L₁.

Each of the light source arrays 160 includes light emitting diodes 165.The light emitting diodes 165 of the light source arrays 160 are spacedapart by an interval D₃ that is shorter than the interval D₂ between thelight source arrays 160.

The light emitting diodes 165 included in each of the light sourcearrays 160 are disposed on the light source array 160 in a matrixconfiguration. The light emitting diodes 165 included in each of thelight source arrays 160 are disposed on the light source arrays 160 in asquare matrix such as a 2×2 matrix or a 3×3 matrix The light emittingdiodes 165 generate light upon receiving the power supplied from thedriving substrate 150.

Each of the light emitting diodes 165 is a red light emitting diode thatgenerates red light, a green light emitting diode that generates greenlight, or a blue light emitting diode that generates blue light.

In this embodiment, the light emitting diodes 165 that generate the red,green and blue lights are arranged in an alternating manner to form thelight source array 160. The red, green, and blue lights generated byeach of the light emitting diodes 165 are mixed over the drivingsubstrate 150 to generate white light.

A receiving container 200 may include a bottom plate 210, and the lightgenerating devices 100 are disposed on the bottom plate 210. In thisembodiment, the light generating devices 100 are aligned substantiallyparallel to each other on the bottom plate 210. Each of the light sourcearrays 160 of the light-generating device 100 is alternately disposed onthe bottom plate 210.

In detail, the light emitting diodes 165 in each of the light sourcearrays 160 formed at each of driving substrate 150 are arranged on thedriving substrate 150 in a matrix, and the driving substrates aredisposed such that each of the light source arrays 160 formed on a firstdriving substrate is disposed between the light source arrays 160 thatare formed on a second driving substrate, wherein the second drivingsubstrate is adjacent to the first driving substrate.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view illustrating a backlight assembly inaccordance with still another embodiment of the present invention. Thebacklight assembly as shown in FIG. 8 is the same as the backlightassembly that is shown in FIG. 5 except that the backlight assembly inFIG. 8 further includes a light-mixing member. Thus, the same referencenumerals will be used to refer to the same parts as in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 8, a receiving container 200 includes a bottom plate210 and a plurality of sidewalls 220. The sidewalls 220 are formed onthe edge portions of the bottom plate 210 to form a receiving space onthe bottom plate 210.

A light-mixing member 230 is disposed on the sidewalls 220, and thelight-mixing member 230 is positioned on top of the sidewall 220 spacedapart from a light providing device 100 by a fixed distance. The lightproviding device 100 is disposed on the bottom plate 210.

The light mixing member 230 decreases the volume of the receiving spaceneeded for mixing red, green and blue lights that are generated from thelight providing device 100; thus, the entire volume and weight of thebacklight assembly is reduced.

Display Apparatus

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view illustrating a display apparatus inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, a display apparatus 500 includes a display panel400 and a backlight assembly 300.

The backlight assembly 300 includes a light providing device 100, areceiving container 200 and a light-mixing member 230.

The light-providing device 100 has a driving substrate 110 and a lightsource array 120.

The driving substrate 110 has a rectangular plate shape having a firstside and a second side. A first length of the first side is longer thana second length of the second side. The driving substrate 110 mayinclude a metal having a high heat conductive material. In someembodiments, the driving substrate 110 includes a power-supply line (notshown) for transferring the power supplied from an external powersupplying unit to the driving substrate 110. At least one light sourcearray 120 is disposed on the driving substrate 110. The light sourcearray 120 is positioned on the driving substrate 110 along a directionparallel to the first side. In an exemplary embodiment, the number ofthe light source arrays 120 is about 3, and three light source arrays120 are disposed on the driving substrate 110 in a line.

Each of the light source arrays 120 has a length of L on the drivingsubstrate 110, and the light source arrays 120 are spaced apart by aninterval D. The interval D between the light source arrays 120 issubstantially identical to the length of L.

Each of the light source arrays 120 includes at least one light emittingdiode 125. The light emitting diodes 125 of the light source arrays 120are separated by an interval D₁ that is shorter than the interval D ofthe light source arrays 120. The light source arrays 120 including lightemitting diodes 125 are arranged in a line along a direction parallel tothe first side of the driving substrate 110. The number of the lightemitting diodes 125 of the light source arrays 120 is about 2 to about4. The light emitting diodes 125 emit light when electrical power issupplied to the light emitting diodes 125 through the driving substrate110.

Each of the light emitting diode 125 emits red light, green light orblue light and the light emitting diodes 125 are arranged in analternating manner to form the light source array 120. The red, green,and blue lights generated from the light emitting diodes 125 are mixedover the driving substrate 110 to generate white light above the drivingsubstrate 110.

The light source arrays are arranged on the driving substrate 110 spacedapart from each other at regular intervals so that the brightness andcolor reproducibility of the light generated from the light emittingdiodes 125 are greatly improved.

A receiving container 200 may include a bottom plate 210, and thelight-generating device 100 is disposed on the bottom plate 210. In theembodiment shown, the light generating devices 100 are alignedsubstantially parallel to each other on the bottom plate 210. The lightsource arrays 120 of the light generating devices 100 is disposed on thebottom plate 210 in a staggered configuration.

The light generating device 100 is disposed on the bottom plate 210 ofthe receiving container 200 and the light source arrays 120 are alignedsubstantially parallel to each other on the bottom plate 210. The lightsource arrays 120 are disposed on the bottom plate 210 in the staggeredconfiguration.

Since the light generating devices 100 including the light source arrays120 are alternately disposed on the bottom plate 210, the heat generatedfrom the light emitting diodes 125 is rapidly dissipated from the lightgenerating device 100. Hence, the brightness and color reproducibilityof the light that is generated from each of the light emitting diodes125 are improved.

The light mixing member 230 decreases a volume of the receiving spaceneeded for mixing red, green and blue lights that are generated from thelight providing device 100; thus, the entire volume and weight of thebacklight assembly 300 is reduced.

The display panel 400 includes a thin film transistor substrate 410, acolor filter substrate 420 and a liquid crystal layer 430. The liquidcrystal layer 430 is interposed between the thin film transistorsubstrate 410 and the color filter substrate 420. The display panel 400varies the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystallayer 430 through the differential voltage between the thin filmtransistor substrate 410 and the color filter substrate 420, so that thetransmittance of the light that passes through the liquid crystal layer430 is changed. Thus, the display panel 400 displays an image based onthe light passing through the liquid crystal layer 430.

As described above, the light generating device rapidly dissipates theheat that is generated from the light emitting diodes, so that thebrightness of the light generated from the light emitting diodes isgreatly increased. The quality of the image of the display apparatus isimproved by the light-generating device.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention itis to be understood that the invention defined by the appended claims isnot to be limited by particular details set forth in the abovedescription as many apparent variations thereof are possible withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope thereof as hereinafter claimed.

1. A light generating device comprising: a first driving substrate; aplurality of first light source arrays disposed in a line on the firstdriving substrate; a second driving substrate neighboring the firstdriving substrate; and a plurality of second light source arraysdisposed in a line on the second driving substrate, wherein the firstand second light source arrays are arranged in a staggeredconfiguration.
 2. The light generating device of claim 1, wherein thesecond driving substrate is spaced apart from the first drivingsubstrate.
 3. The light generating device of claim 2, wherein a width ofeach of the first and second driving substrates is substantially equalto an interval between the first driving substrate and the seconddriving substrate.
 4. The light generating device of claim 1, whereineach of the first driving substrate has a rectangular planar shape withtwo first sides and two second sides, wherein the first sides have afirst length and the second sides have a second length that is shorterthan the first length of the first sides.
 5. The light generating deviceof claim 1, wherein each of the first and second light source arrayscomprises a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in a firstdirection spaced apart from each other, each of the light emittingdiodes generating light when electric power is applied thereto throughthe first and second driving substrates, respectively.
 6. The lightgenerating device of claim 5, wherein the number of the light emittingdiodes of the first light source array is two, and the number of thelight emitting diodes of the second light source array is two.
 7. Thelight generating device of claim 5, wherein the light emitting diodes ofthe first light source array comprises two different-colored lightemitting diodes, and the light emitting diodes of the second lightsource array comprises two different-colored light emitting diodes. 8.The light generating device of claim 5, wherein the light emittingdiodes disposed on the first driving substrate are spaced apart fromeach other by a first distance extending in a direction parallel tofirst sides of the first driving substrate.
 9. The light generatingdevice of claim 8, wherein the light emitting diodes disposed on thesecond driving substrate are spaced apart from each other by a seconddistance extending in a direction parallel to first sides of the seconddriving substrate, wherein the second distance and the first distanceare substantially equal to each other.
 10. The light generating deviceof claim 5, wherein the light emitting diodes of the first light sourcearray are spaced apart by an interval that is shorter than an intervalof the first light source array.
 11. The light generating device ofclaim 5, wherein the light emitting diodes of the second light sourcearray are spaced apart by an interval that is shorter than an intervalof the second light source array.
 12. The light generating device ofclaim 1, wherein a distance between neighboring first light sourcearrays is substantially equal to a length of each of the first lightsource arrays, and a distance between neighboring second light sourcearrays is substantially equal to a length of each of the second lightsource arrays.
 13. A backlight assembly comprising: a light generatingdevice comprising: a first driving substrate; a plurality of first lightsource arrays disposed in a line on the first driving substrate; asecond driving substrate neighboring the first driving substrate; and aplurality of second light source arrays disposed in a line on the seconddriving substrate, wherein the first and second light source arrays arearranged in a staggered configuration; a receiving container having abottom plate and sidewalls formed at edge portions of the bottom plate,the driving substrate being disposed on the bottom plate.
 14. Thebacklight assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the first and secondlight source arrays comprises a plurality of light emitting diodesarranged in a first direction spaced apart from each other, each of thelight emitting diodes generating light when electric power is appliedthereto through the first and second driving substrates, respectively.15. The backlight assembly of claim 14, wherein the light emittingdiodes of the first light source array comprises two different-coloredlight emitting diodes, and the light emitting diodes of the second lightsource array comprises two different-colored light emitting diodes. 16.The backlight assembly of claim 13, wherein the second driving substrateis spaced apart from the first driving substrate.
 17. The backlightassembly of claim 13, wherein a width of each of the first and seconddriving substrates is substantially equal to an interval between thefirst driving substrate and the second driving substrate.
 18. Thebacklight assembly of the claim 13, further comprising a light mixingmember that is coupled to the sidewalls to mix the light generating fromthe light generating device.
 19. A display apparatus comprising: a lightgenerating device generating light, the light generating devicecomprising: a first driving substrate; a plurality of first light sourcearrays disposed in a line on the first driving substrate; a seconddriving substrate neighboring the first driving substrate; and aplurality of second light source arrays disposed in a line on the seconddriving substrate, wherein the first and second light source arrays arearranged in a staggered configuration; a receiving container having abottom plate and sidewalls formed at edge portions of the bottom plate,the driving substrate being disposed on the bottom plate; and a displaypanel displaying an image by using the light generated by the lightgenerating device.
 20. The display apparatus of claim 19, wherein awidth of each of the first and second driving substrates issubstantially equal to an interval between the first driving substrateand the second driving substrate.